Abstract

This study collected data pertinent to instructional effectiveness at the secondary educational level with the population of students enrolled under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Equal Opportunity Act (ACT 101) which provides financial assistance to post secondary institutions serving academically disadvantaged students th:ough tutoring and counseling support. The study surveyed 609 rural and urban ACT 101 students from 11 state institutions of higher education, one community college and four private colleges and 181 high school teachers whom students had identified as having a major positive influence on them. Some highlights of the survey's findings on students included the following: (1) typical students were 18 to 19 years old, 50 percent female, and white; (2) most students came from small families with few parents employed in profebsional fields and no college graduate family members; (3) mcst students